The 11 biggest names who have yet to declare for the NBA Draft

With the college basketball season officially in the books, the last few weeks have been filled with many of the sport’s top players declaring for the NBA Draft.

But with the April 23rd deadline looming, there are still a handful of big names on the fence. Their decisions will have major ramifications on both the college and pro game next season, depending on which way they decide to go.

So who are the biggest names that have yet to make an NBA Draft decision? Here are 11 players.

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1

Josh Jackson, F, Kansas

Before he ever played a game in Lawrence, Jackson was touted as the potential No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft – and he didn’t disappoint once he stepped on the court at Kansas. Jackson finished second on the Jayhawks in both scoring (16.3 points per game) and rebounding (7.4) helping them to a 13th straight Big 12 title.

At this point, Jackson is no longer projected to go No. 1 (that honor will likely go to either Washington’s Markelle Fultz or UCLA’s Lonzo Ball) but he will still almost certainly go in the Top 5. It’d be shocking if Jackson didn’t eventually declare.

Update: It took awhile, but Jackson ultimately did declare and sign with an agent. The freshman from Detroit could go in the Top 3 on draft night.

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2

Miles Bridges, F, Michigan State

Like Jackson, Bridges came to Michigan State with a ton of hype, and like Jackson he delivered. The freshman from Saginaw led the Spartans in both scoring (16.9) and rebounding (8.3) helping Michigan State to the second round of this year’s NCAA tournament.

Grayson Allen, F, Duke

No one views Allen as a sympathetic figure, but in terms of his draft stock it’s hard not to feel a little sorry for him. Following last season Allen was believed to be a first round talent, but decided to not even test the draft waters and return for his junior year. It backfired for Allen, as a combination of weaker numbers and obvious on-court issues have left his draft status up much more precarious.

If Allen chooses to go, there is no guarantee he’ll be a first round pick, so the best bet may be to return to Durham. If he does come back – and if he can stay out of trouble – Allen could play his way back into the first round. He should also again return to “star” status on a young Duke team which lost Luke Kennard, Jayson Tatum and Harry Giles to the draft.

Update: Allen will return school for his senior year and not test the waters. With his return, as well as the projected return of guard Frank Mason and another top-flight recruiting class, teh Blue Devils should once again begin the season ranked in the Top 10 nationally.

Justin Jackson, F, North Carolina

Last year Jackson declared, went to the combine and was told he needed to improve his long-range shooting. And to his credit, he did that in 2017, as his three-point percentage jumped from 29 percent to 37 percent this season.

With his improved play, Jackson is now projected by most outlets as a lottery pick. Add in a national championship, and it is hard to see any scenario where Jackson decides to return to Chapel Hill for his senior year.

Zach Collins, F/C, Gonzaga

Although he didn’t start at Gonzaga this season, Collins has been on the NBA’s radar all season long. He showed why the scouts love him in a Final Four matchup with South Carolina, where he tallied 14 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks in a semifinal win.

While Collins’ title game performance was marred by foul trouble (he played just 14 minutes) it hasn’t changed the views of NBA personnel; if he declares he will be a Top 20 pick. Therefore, expect him to leave Spokane.

Update: On Tuesday night Collins declared for the NBA Draft. According to ESPN he hasn't hired an agent yet but plans to - which would eventually bring an end to his college career.

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6

Jordan Bell, F, Oregon

Bell had a wild NCAA tournament, tallying a near triple-double (11 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocks) in an Elite Eight win over Kansas, before his inability to block out against North Carolina helped the Tar Heels clinch a Final Four victory over the Ducks.

Regardless of his rollercoaster Big Dance, Bell’s decision will be a fascinating one to watch in the next few weeks. Throughout the year Bell was projected as a second round pick, but his strong play in March may have pushed him to the first round. If he decides to return to school, Oregon should stay in the Top 15 to start the 2017-2018 season.

Update: After some back-and-forth over whether he would stay or go, Bell has officially declared for the draft. As mentioned above, he could sneak into the first round after a strong NCAA tournament performance.

7

Dillon Brooks, F, Oregon

Brooks’ story is pretty similar to his teammate’s above. He is a highly accomplished player on the college level (he won Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2017), but because of physical limitations it feels like, at best, he is a second round pick.

Still, that doesn’t make his draft decision easy. Even if he comes back there’s no guarantee that his draft stock will improve, which could push him to declare.

Update: On Wednesday Brooks announced that he will declare for the draft. While he didn't officially say that he planned to hire an agent, based on the tone of a video he released, it appears his college career is over.

USA TODAY SportsStephen R. Sylvanie

8

OG Anunoby, F, Indiana

Because he was limited to just 16 games this season due to injury, many have forgotten about Anunoby. Not NBA scouts however, who love his size, athleticism and versatility. Remember, this was a guy that – when healthy – put up 21 points and eight rebounds against the eventual NCAA champion North Carolina Tar Heels in early December.

Even despite his limited playing time and injury history, Anunoby is a near lock to go in the first round if he declares. If he were to somehow stay, it would be a major boon for first-year head coach Archie Miller.

Thomas Bryant, F/C, Indiana

Bryant’s situation is almost the exact opposite as his teammate Anunoby’s. At this time last year he was a major prospect, after averaging 11.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game as a freshman. But after his numbers basically stayed the same this season (he averaged 12.2 points and 6.6 boards) Bryant’s draft stock has plateaued.

Once projected as a potential lottery pick in the preseason, Bryant is now a fringe first rounder at best.

Johnathan Motley, F, Baylor

Although Motley was highly productive as a junior at Baylor (17 points, 9.9 rebounds) he has a few things working against him in the draft process. One, he’s almost 22-years-old, which is ancient by draft standards. The fact that he recently underwent surgery on a torn MCL means that he won’t even be healthy enough to impress scouts at next month’s combine.

Therefore, poor Motley is in virtually a no-win situation. If he declares it feels like he’ll be no better than a second round pick, but even if he were to return to school, it’s hard to imagine him moving into the first round next year (when he’d be nearly 23).

Allonzo Trier, G, Arizona

Trier has had an up-and-down 12 months. He nearly declared for the draft a year ago but decided to return to Arizona – where he ended up suspended for the first 19 games of the season because of a PED violation. Once he stepped on the court however he was a star, averaging a team-high 19 points per game.